The Silver Wedding of Milton's Mayor & Mayoress

Bruce Herald, Volume XXXX, Issue 98, 23 December 1904, Page 5

The Silver Wedding of Milton's Mayor & Mayoress

There is no doubt that the party given I Mr and Mrs W. Moore, Mayor and Mayore of Milton, on Wednesday evening, to eel bratc their silver wedding, was the largest an most successful social function held in th district for many years. Although it w; attended by a very large number of ladies an gentlemen, the kind-hearted host and hoste would, we are aware, have been even more d< lighted if they could have invited twice it. number which were present, but even the well-known open hearted hospitality had to L limited by the capacity of the Cironatio Hall. As it was at least 200 iuvited guest attended, comprising probably the most repre sentative social gathering of ladies and gentle . men ever held .in the Tokomairiro districl As showing the genuine feelings ol frjendshi felt for the host and hostess and their family it may be stated that notwithstanding th wretchedly inclement state of the weather, 20 ladies and gentlemen turned out and laced thi elements, from all parts of the plain. Th guests on arrival were met at the door of thi hall by Mr and Mrs Moore, and Mr and Mr John Moore, and felicitations on havinj attained their silver wedding were poureo upon the happy host and hostess. The func tion was divided into two parts, the first con slsting of a banquet, after which songs and toast were given, and the second part of a dance ant social. The head of the table was taken b) Mr J. A. Duthie, who carried out his duties a: chairman, with that aflability and good tasti which is always characteristic of that gentle man. The tables with their snow- whin napery, glassware, etc., presented a pleasiin picture, which was intensified by the excep tionally pretty display of summer blooms anc greenery, and the beautiful costumes of tht ladies. The banquet and its arrangement; were in the capable hands of Miss Murray, who deserves every credit for the charming taste displayed in the whole of the general arrangements. It is safe to say that everything was more than equal to anything that has been carried out at previous social functions here, and could not have bee:i surpassed anywhere in the colony. Thd speeches were mostly models of what afteidinner speeches should be, being brief but pointed, and occasionally penetrated with flashes of humor. The very handsome presentations to Mr and Mrs Moore, which had been kept a profound secret from the recipients came as a real surprise to both of them ar, 1 accentuated the genuine feelings of respect and esteem which are entertained in-Tokomairir > towards Mr and Mrs Moore. Throughout tlie speeches there was the same note of the sincere respect, which people of all classes feel towards this gentleman and his good wife. After tiie banquet dancing was entered into with zest by most of those present. Later on in the evening a very recherche supper was served. Apologies were received for the absence of Messrs Jas. Allen, M.H.R., D. Reid, C. Grey, and j. Scanlan. After the usual loyal toast had been uiny honored, Mr C. King favored the company with the song " Queen of the earth." The Chairman, in proposing the toast of the evening, " Our Host and Hostess," said that when those present received their invitations they noticed that it was stipulated on the cards "no presents." While they all appreciated the feeling that actuated Mr and Mrs Moore, and knew that Mr Moore would rather give than receive, there had been a feeling 111 the town for some considerable time that h s many services should be publicly recognised. He had been mayor of Milton for about ten years, with credit to himseif and those vvhuin he so worthily represented. He had also been in many other public positions, but had never used his public positions for private gain. lie (Mr Duthie) had often remarked on the friend iy feeling which existed among the business people of this town, aad he considered that Mr Moore was a great factor in the attainment of that feeling. He had met their host on many occasions and in different positions, and had always found him an honest man ; he was reminded of the saying of Robbie Burns, " An honest man's the noblest work of God." On behalf of their numerous friends, he had much pleasure in presenting Mr Moore with a silver eptrgne and Mrs Moore with an afternoon lea service, and all hoped they would have the pleasure of their host and hostess's society for many years. — (Loud applause.) — The presents were very handsome, and the epergne bore the inscription " Presented to Mr and Mrs Win. Moore, on the occasion of their >ilv. r we iding, by their many friends in Ahl'.> .1 a. id surrounding districts. Dec. 23, 19 14. ' The toast was enthusiastically accorded musical honors, after whicii Mr [. iirotvulec " Bonny Mary of Argyle.' ; Mr Moore, in responding, said he admitted they had sprung a great surprise on him by their handsome presents. He was quite certain such gifts were not required to make his wife and himself feel how highly they were respected. Apart from the gifts altogether, the scene in the hall that evening was sufficient reward to his wife and himself for anything they might have done. The articles presented to Mrs Moore would no doubt be often used, but he would yet have to learn what use to make of the epergne.— (Laughter). He concluded by'again heartily thanking them for their handsome presents. Mr J. Parlane then gay* a recitation entitled ''Lariat Bill." Mr Jas. Reid in a felicitous speech proposed the toast of " The Health and Happiness of the Relatives," which was accorded musical honors. Mr J. B. M'Clymont sang " lack's the boy." , . ■ ' Mr Neill (Invercargill), in responding, said he did not know who .was the evil genius who had connected his name with the toast-list ; he had evideatly not consulted his (the speaker's comfort and convenience. Twenty-nine years ago on Dec. 23rd, he was married at the Milton Presbyterian Church, and by that act became entitl-.-d to be ranked as a relative of their host's. It was about thirty years since he iett the Miiton district, but he s.iil xaaem

I bered some of the old faces. He was please* j to be present, and was gratified at the heart; - manner in which the toast had been honored i To be a relative or friend of Mr and Mn Moore was a great honor ; he ho{jed they woulc be spared to celebrate their golden wedding i They could not celebrate such an occasioi j without sad memories mingling with their hap piness, as some who were present 25 years ag< ■ had now passed away. — (Applause)Mr John Moore (Philadelphia), brother o the host, said he had travelled a long distance to be present at that gathering, but was glac that he had come. He spoke of the kindly manner in which;- he was received by his brother and family, and though! they had made a mistake, but his brothel had made no mistake in choosing his j wife. It had done him good 10 come to I New Zealand, and they had had a talk of many things that happened in their boyhood. He joined with the previous speaker in wishing that their host and hostess may live to celebrate their golden wedding. After seeing the happy faces at the table, and the hearty response which had been made to the invitations, he would be able to tell .his American friends of j the esteem in which his brother was held*— (Applause.) Mr W. W. r. Hall then proposed the toast of "Milton Borough Council." He referred to the good work done by that body, and although he had proposed the same toast on several occasions, lie was extremely pleased to do .so on this occasion, seeing their host was the head of the Council. When he (the speaker) first came to Milton Mr Moore had been one of the fust to hold out the right hand of friendship. He concluded his remarks by cordially wishing Mr and Mrs Moore long life. Mr G. It. Thomson gave a very amusing wading of mixed advertisements. Mr W. Taylor, in reply, said he was proud tv respond on this special occasion. They all knew who and what their Mayor was, and if he had not been qualified for the position the people would not have stood him for such a long period. Mr Taylor concluded by referring to the installation of water and gas in the town, maintaining that with the present population it was impossible unless the rates were doubled. — Mr King said he had been connected ui:h the Council for some years, and the members got more kicks than halfpence. Their husi carried on the business of the council in a worthy manner. He did not agree with the previous speaker regarding his remarks on the gas ami water question, as both water and ga-s could be installed without an excessive increase in the rales. Mrs Moore was a kindly person ; he had known her for 30 years, and she was always ready to speak a good word. He concluded by endorsing the good wishes expres.se .1 by the previous speakers. Mr Henderson proposed the toast of " Bruce County Council." It was conceded that it was one u'i the best managed bodies of its kind in Ota-j<>. The old members were passing away, but young ones were worthily tilling their places. He concluded by adding his testimony to l'ne worth of their host and hostess, whom he had known for the past twenty years. — M R. Murray, ex-member oi tiu Council, briefly replied. Mr C. King then rendered '• The dear litll c shannock,'" after which Rev. G. .Miller said that it was gratifying to him to bear testimony to Mr and Mrs Moore's good (jualilies. Since he had known them he had appreciated their acquaintance. N'jiie w.rc mne regular than | they in atlendar.ee at public worship, and if anyone was in need 'they always received assistance at the iiuids ot Mr and .Mrs Moore. Their host had alwrns taken a great interest in public affairs, and spent a considerable amount of time in attending to the interests of the town. He hoped God wouid be witl'i them through their future life, be their guide, and let his blessing rest upon them. He concluded by wishing them all prosperity and a long life. The final toast of the evening was entrusted to Rev. J. C. Small, who in.aut: a. very witty speech in proposing the toasi of '-The Ladies," which was responded to by MrJ. Parlane. Mr Moore finally returned thanks for the kind things which had been said regarding hi wife and himself. He had never been in a similar position before. — (Laughter). The banquet portion of the evening was brought to a close with three hearty cheers for Mr and Mrs Moore, and one fov the family, after which the floor was cleared for dancing, in which both old and young indulged with great vigor until about 2 45 a. m , to strains of excellent music supplied by Messrs K. M. Brookes (piano) and Jas Haig (violin). A very enjoyable gathering was brought to a close by the singing of Auld Lang Syne.